Merry-go-round.



- L. M. MAXHAM.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917.

FII

1 Ind/6115343 Lowell Mason Mzxham;

UNITED STATES ATNT OFFICE,

LOWELL MASON MAXI-IAIVI, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MERRY-GO-ROUND.

Application filed October 13, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LOWELL MAsoN MAX- HAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in MerryGo-Rounds, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

The object of this invention is the construction of a merry-go-round which is adapted to be propelled by the children seated therein, which shall be safe, capable of ready stoppage by an attendant, and comparatively inexpensive to construct.

In carrying this invention into effect, I provide an easily rotatable frame carrying a series of seats at its outer periphery, and a stationary rod just outside the line of seats to serve both as a guard rail, and as a means of propulsion by enabling the children to grasp and pull upon the same.

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the merry-go-round complete. Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view of parts thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the seats. Fig. 4 is a central section of the upper part of the standard and of the spindle rotatable therein.

In constructing the rotary frame, I prefer to support an annular bar 1 upon the ends of radial arms 2 whose inner ends are attached to a spider 3. Centrally through this spider rises a spindle 4: from an upper part of which guy rods 5 are connected with outer parts of the arms. This spindle descends within a tubular standard 6 at whose upper end is a raceway 7 for ball bearings 9; a corresponding race way being formed in the under surface of the spider 3.

The lower end of the standard 6 is held rigidly by a base 10 suitably secured in place, as by being bolted to cross timbers 11, the same being designed to be strong enough to withstand any lateral strain caused by a full load at one side and none at the other side of the frame.

Supported by the framework a few inches above the ground and cross timbers, is a floor 12 which is preferably attached to the arm 13 of a bar 14 at the ends of each section of the floor, the upper ends of the bars lat being fastened to the annular frame bar 1. The seats 15 are preferably supported at a suitable distance above the floor by Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 14, 1917.

Serial No. 125,345.

being fastened to the bars 14 at their inner side, and by a brace 16 at their outer sides, though I do not restrict myself to this particular arrangement.

An inner guard rail 17 is run from seat to seat at their inner sides to prevent the children from accidentally getting within the line of moving seats.

Outside of the circle of seats and at a suitable distance therefrom, is a stationary rail 20 held by standards 21 which are preferably curved over inward at the upper ends in order to keep them out of reach of the feet and knees of the children.

A section of this rail 20 is made removable in order to permit the children to get easily to the seats, an attendant if desired looking after the children and moving the merry-go-round seat by seat as the children are accommodated. My preferred means for closing this section is to have the main body of the rail tubular, and to have the movable section or gate 22 a curved rod easily slidable within the rail, a stop 23 serving to keep the rod from passing out of sight into the rail, at either end.

To prevent any mischievous children from rotating the merry-go-round with such rapidity as to put the smaller ones in danger, I provide a brake shoe 24 carried at the end of a lever 25 pivotally supported at 28 to a post 26. A tension spring 27 normally retains the brake out of contact wit-h the frame, but when the cord or chain 29 is forcibly drawn upon, the brake descends upon the top edge of the annular bar and by its friction therewith at once slows down the merry-goround.

The stationary rail 20 serves not only as a means whereby the merry-go-round is put into motion by the childrens pulling thereon, but also as a guard to prevent other chil dren from running into contact with the revolving seats, or from standing too close thereto.

Although Fig. 1 illustrates about a dozen seats, the frame can be readily constructed for the support of many more, the only thing needed being to increase the strength of the standard and the number of the arms 2, and size of the bar 1.

As will be noted, the floor, the inner rail and the outer rail when closed, all serve to guard the children against falling from the seats; the means for propelling the merrygo-rou'nol, since it comprises nothing but a stationary rail, is entirely Without complication and deteriorating parts; the structure is comparatively light and inexpensive, and can be readily lifted ofi the standard for storage; and the device as a Whole is an ideal one for homes, public grounds and play grounds in general.

hat I claim is:

1. A merry-go-round comprising a rotatable frame, means for supporting children at its outer periphery, and a circular bar held stationary just outside the said supporting means, whereby the children can rotate themselves and said frame by pulling upon the bar, and whereby the latter also serves as a guard rail to prevent children from running against the said supporting means and getting injured.

2. A merry-go-round comprising a rotatable frame, means for supporting children carried thereby at its outer periphery, and a circular bar held stationary just outside the said supporting means, a section of said bar being displaceable at Will to permit convenient access to the supporting means.

3. A merry-go-round comprising a rotatable frame, seats supported about the periphery of the frame, a floor supported by the frame beneath the seats, and a stationary easily grasped member located outside the path of the seats.

A. A merry-go-round comprising a circular bar, a rotatable support therefor, seats suspended from said bar, a substantially annular foot rest floor supported by the said bar beneath the seats, a rail movable With the seats just Within their inner sides, and a stationary easily grasped member located just outside the path of the seats.

5. A merry-go-round comprising a tubular standard, a spindle turning therein, radial arms projecting rigidly from the spindle, an annular bar carried at the ends of the arms, vertical bars suspended from the annular bar having each a radially projecting arm at its lower end, a substantially annular floor supported on the latter arms, and seats supported above the floor.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing invention, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of October, 1916.

LOWELL MASON MAXHAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

